Missiles could targets ships and aircraft, according to CNBC, and mark another step in the militarisation of the disputed islands China has installed cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of its outposts in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, according to reports. The US news network ... Read More »
Russian fighter jet reportedly intercepts US military plane
A Russian fighter jet has reportedly intercepted a US surveillance plane in international airspace. The Russian Su-27 jet performed an “unprofessional” but not unsafe interception of a US Navy P-8 plane that was flying over the Baltic Sea, defence officials told CNN and Fox News. The jet reportedly came within ... Read More »
Acting UNSCOL talks border security with Army in Bekaa visit
BEIRUT: The Acting U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Kardel Wednesday met with Lebanese Army representatives in Bekaa’s Ras Baalbeck and Arsal near the northern borders, in a follow-up visit after the Rome II conference in March. “Today I saw first-hand how the Lebanese Army’s presence … has succeeded in ... Read More »
European powers say they are nearing plan to save Iran nuclear pact
French President Emmanuel Macron called on the United States on Wednesday not to abandon the Iran nuclear deal as Western envoys said Britain, France and Germany were nearing a package that seeks to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to save the pact. Trump has described the 2015 accord, under which ... Read More »
Oil stable but below recent highs as rising U.S. supply drags on bull-run
– Oil prices were stable on Wednesday, but were below the more than three-year highs reached the previous session as rising U.S. fuel inventories and production weighed on an otherwise bullish market. Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $73.89 per barrel at 0455 GMT, up 3 cents from their ... Read More »
China accuses US of ‘severe infringements’ on human rights in report
Beijing claims America poses as ‘guardian of human rights’ after State Department criticises Chinese rights record China has accused the US of “serious infringement on citizens’ civil rights” and “systematic racial discrimination” in a report issued in riposte to criticism from Washington. Beijing claimed the Americans posed as “the guardian ... Read More »
Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade, as French visit begins
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by U.S.-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade. It will be Trump’s first hosting of a state visit since he took power ... Read More »
Russia Takes Heavy Hand to Internet to Block Telegram
Russian authorities are freezing up vast swathes of the country’s online world in what critics call a heavy-handed – and so far unsuccessful – attempt to block a popular messaging app, Telegram. The head of the communications watchdog acknowledged Wednesday that millions of IP addresses unrelated to Telegram have been ... Read More »
Turkey’s President Erdogan calls snap election in June
Turkey will hold snap presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 June, brought forward by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from November 2019. He has run Turkey since 2002 and will seek five more years with beefed up powers approved in a referendum last year. The idea of an early poll was ... Read More »
Cuba set to swear in new president to replace Raul Castro
An era will end in Communist-run Cuba on Thursday when President Raul Castro retires, likely handing over the reins to his right hand man Miguel Diaz-Canel, born the year after brothers Fidel and Raul led their 1959 leftist revolution. However after nearly 60 years of Castro rule, the change is ... Read More »